#messier 107

[quiltofstars]

The Crucifix Cluster, M107 // Ari Paulechen Junior

[chibinotan]

Wide-Field Cluster

[quiltofstars]

The Crucifix Cluster, M107 // Chris H

[quiltofstars]

The Crucifix Cluster, M107 // AnaTa

The last globular cluster in Messier's catalog, this cluster was discovered by Méchain in 1782 and added to the catalog in 1947 by Helen Sawyer Hogg (1905-1993).

M107 is about 21,000 light years from Earth and contains about 100,000 stars with ages close to the age of the universe!

The name "Crucifix Cluster" might come from a description by William Smyth (1788-1865): "A large but pale granulated cluster of small stars, on the Serpent-bearer‘s right leg. There are five telescopic stars around it, so placed as to form a crucifix, when the cluster is high in the field."

[quiltofstars]

M107 in grayscale // Jean-Pierre Lees

[chibinotan]

Regular Cluster

[brightestofcentaurus]

Messier 107

Messier 107, also designated NGC 6171, is a globular star cluster located about 21,000 light years away towards the constellation Ophiuchus. It is only about 80 light years across, but contains thousands of stars.

Globular clusters are some of the oldest objects in the Milky Way, forming during the initial development of the galaxy. More than 150 have formed and now orbit the disk of our galaxy. The stars of Messier 107 formed over 10 billion years ago from the same cloud of interstellar gas.

Image from NASA, information from ESO.

[theuniverseatlarge]

Messier 107 - Globular Cluster in Ophichus

Now we have reached our last globular cluster in the Messier Catalogue. M107 was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1782, but wasn't added to the catalogue until 1947. Astronomer William Herschel was first to resolve the individual stars of M107.

Top: Wide-Field - ESO/ESO Imaging Survey

Bottom: Close-Up - PD-HUBBLE